소셜 미디어
sosyeol midieo[sʰo̞ɕʰʌ̹ɭ midiʌ̹]
In Korean, social media is expressed as 소셜 미디어 (sosyeol midieo) or SNS.
The term refers to applications or websites that allow users to communicate. In common practice, if you want to say you 'use' or 'are on' social media, you can use the phrase SNS를 하다, which literally combines 'SNS' with the verb '하다' (to do). Other related terms you may encounter include 좋아요 (Like), 댓글 (Comment), 팔로워 (Follower), 해시태그 (Hashtag) and 유튜브 (YouTube).
Meaning: applications or websites allowing users to communicate (noun)
Which one should you use?
소셜 미디어 is a direct translation of the English term, whereas SNS (an abbreviation for social networking service) is the more common way to refer to social media platforms in daily conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
sosyeol midieo
Did you know?
- Korean users often use the term 인스타 감성 (Insta-gamsung) to describe a specific 'Instagram aesthetic' characterized by minimalist and moody visuals.
- While SNS is used globally, in Korea it specifically encompasses instant messaging apps like 카카오톡 (KakaoTalk), which English speakers often categorize separately from 'social media'.
- The term 팔로우 (follow) is often paired with 맞팔 (mat-pal), a portmanteau meaning 'mutual following' where two users follow each other.
Examples in context
- 소셜 미디어는 시간 낭비야.Social media is a waste of time.This sentence illustrates how to express an opinion about the time spent on 소셜 미디어.Tatoeba #8363236 by Eunhee, translation #6058254 by mailohilohi
- 나는 소셜 미디어는 안 써.I don't use social media.This sentence shows how to state that you do not use 소셜 미디어.Tatoeba #8363237 by Eunhee, translation #6058253 by mailohilohi
- 새로운 소셜 미디어가 나왔어요.saeroun sosyeol midieoga nawasseoyo.A new social media has come out.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are talking about how they stay in touch with friends.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨는 소셜 미디어 자주 해요?Seoyeon ssi-neun sosyeol midieo jaju haeyo?Seoyeon, do you use social media often?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 매일 사진을 올려요.ne, maeil sajin-eul ollyeoyo.Yes, I post photos every day.
- 도현 Do-hyeon어떤 소셜 미디어를 가장 좋아해요?eotteon sosyeol midieo-reul gajang joahaeyo?Which social media do you like the most?
- 서연 Seo-yeon저는 영상 위주의 서비스가 좋아요.jeoneun yeongsang wiju-ui seobiseu-ga joayo.I like services focused on videos.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “social media” translations and entries 소셜 미디어, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
